Zama October 19, 202 BC Strategic Context In 218 BC, Hannibal Barca leads a Carthaginian army from Spain across the Alps to invade attack the Roman Empire. Despite consistently defeating Roman armies in Italy for over a decade, Hannibal is unable to defeat Rome, and eventually loses the imitative. A Roman army under Scipio Africanus retakes Spain from Hannibal’s subordinates in 206 BC, and then invades North Africa in 204 BC to take Carthage itself. Scipio defeats Carthaginian ally, King Syphax of Numidia, with the help of his son Prince Masinissa. Scipio establishes himself while Hannibal leads the main Carthaginian army in ineffectual skirmishes in Italy. In 203 BC, Hannibal must abandon Italy to defend Carthage, meeting Scipio at Zama the next year. Stakes + A Roman victory would leave Carthage undefended, forcing it to concede to a severe peace treaty. + A Carthaginian victory would destroy Rome’s only army in North Africa, forcing a more advantageous peace. By Jonathan Webb, 2009 To view animation on PC: hit F5 To view animation on Mac: hit ⌘ + enter

Zama, 202 BC Strength  Romans  Well  Carthaginians  Well  Scipio Africanus  29,000 infantry  36,000 infantry  Hannibal Barca  80 war elephants  4,000 cavalry  6,500 cavalry By Jonathan Webb, 2009

Mediterranean c. 218 BC

Romans (Scipio) Carthaginians (Hannibal) The battlefield consists of a featureless arid plain, To the southeast and northwest behind each army is a gradual hill where each sets up camp.

LaeliusMasinissa Tychaeus Hannibal Hannibal deploys his infantry in three lines with his hardened veterans occupying the rear line and his mercenaries and levies occupying the front two lines. He deploys his war elephants and skirmishers in front of the infantry and the cavalry on the wings. Scipio deploys his infantry in three lines as well: hastati in the front, then principes, and finally veteran triarii. Scipio leaves wide lanes between his formations but hides the gaps with skirmishers. He deploys his cavalry on the wings, Masinissa commanding the stronger right wing. Hannibal knows Scipio’s cavalry is superior and gives orders to his cavalry to lure the Roman cavalry far away from the battlefield if defeated. Hannibal attacks with his war elephants and skirmishers, which are confronted by Roman skirmishers. As the war elephants approach the Roman lines, Scipio orders the cavalry to blow loud horns to frighten the beasts; this partly succeeds as many elephants turn about and flee. The Carthaginian left wing is stampeded by rampaging elephants, completely disordering it. Masinissa promptly charges the Carthaginian left wing and drives it from the field. Frightened elephants continue to rampage into the Carthaginian ranks, disordering the right wing cavalry. Laelius also seizes the opportunity to charge the Carthaginian right wing and drive it from the field. Meanwhile, Roman skirmishers harass the remaining war elephants and carefully lure them down the wide lanes in the infantry to be destroyed in the rear. Scipio Scipio redresses his ranks to form a continuous battle line and advances. Hannibal meets the Roman infantry with only his first two lines of infantry. Carthaginians (Hannibal) Romans (Scipio Africanus) 29,000 infantry 6,500 cavalry Carthaginians (Hannibal Barca) 36,000 infantry 4,000 cavalry 80 war elephants Symbol guide RomansCarthaginiansInfantrySkirmishersCavalry War elephants Romans (Scipio)

Scipio Hannibal Scipio redresses his ranks to form a continuous battle line and advances. Hannibal meets the Roman infantry with only his first two lines of infantry. The Roman hastati eventually defeat the Carthaginian front infantry line which must retreat. However, Hannibal orders his second line infantry to not allow the first line into their ranks, resulting in a few initial skirmishes between friendly troops. Trapped between their own second line and the Roman hastati, the Carthaginian front line is slaughtered although some escape to settle on the wings. The Carthaginian second line counterattacks aggressively, pushing the Roman hastati backwards until reinforced by the principes. A fierce struggle ensues but the Carthaginian infantry are again defeated and forced to retreat. Hannibal does not allow these troops to mingle with his rear line but most have the sense to redeploy on the wings. Hannibal’s cavalry appears to be carrying out its orders magnificently as there is no sign of the Roman cavalry. Carthaginians (Hannibal) Romans (Scipio Africanus) 29,000 infantry 6,500 cavalry Carthaginians (Hannibal Barca) 36,000 infantry 4,000 cavalry 80 war elephants Symbol guide RomansCarthaginiansInfantrySkirmishersCavalry War elephants Romans (Scipio)

Scipio Triarii PrincipesHastatiPrincipes Scipio and Hannibal pause briefly to reorganize their formations. Scipio leisurely deploys the principes on the inner wings and the triarii on the outer wings for a balanced line that slightly overlaps the Carthaginian line. Hannibal knows an advance over the corpse-filled battlefield would be difficult and waits for Scipio to attack his veteran infantry line. Scipio orders an advance over the gory battlefield. A violent and costly infantry struggle infantry ensues. Neither side appears to be gaining an advantage and the decision remains in great doubt to both commanders. As the infantry battle reaches a climax, the Roman cavalry finally return to attack the Carthaginians in the rear. In an instant, the Carthaginian infantry are annihilated where they stand or violently pursued from the battlefield. Hannibal Carthaginians (Hannibal) Romans (Scipio Africanus) 29,000 infantry 6,500 cavalry Carthaginians (Hannibal Barca) 36,000 infantry 4,000 cavalry 80 war elephants Symbol guide RomansCarthaginiansInfantrySkirmishersCavalry War elephants Romans (Scipio)

Zama, 202 BC Casualties & Aftermath Romans:Carthaginians: 5,000 or 14% 30,000 or 75% By Jonathan Webb, 2009 Hannibal escaped to convince the Carthaginian senate to sue for peace. Rome forced Carthage to surrender its fleet, cede land to Masinissa’s Numidia, and pay severe reparations. Hannibal was allowed to continue playing a role in Carthaginian politics. In fact, he was so successful in Carthage’s recovery within the terms of the peace treaty, that Rome forced him to flee in 196 BC.

The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps By Jonathan Webb, 2009